The press release and full title for Down The Tracks refer to it as a 95 minute documentary that explores the music that influenced Bob Dylan. It is all that and more.
The first 70 minutes present an excellent review of the foundation and evolution of folk music from the early 1920’s through the 1960’s. Down The Tracks weaves classic clips and biographies of such artists as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt and more, with a running commentary and interviews, into an informative and entertaining presentation.
No artist influenced Bob Dylan or American folk music in general, more than Woody Guthrie. Dylan visited him in the hospital near the end of his life and just sang songs at his bedside. Guthrie’s legacy was one of proving that people could write significant songs that reflected life and protest. Many of his songs may seem obsolete today but his influence lives on. Initially Dylan would pattern himself vocally after Guthrie but long term it would be the lyrical influences that would serve him best.
Pete Seeger may have had less of a direct influence upon Dylan than Guthrie, but there is no denying his influence on folk music and the 1960’s musical protest movement. Seeger more than anyone else was the folk music link from Guthrie to Dylan. He was a collector of folk songs from around the world, but his greatest contributions were in the political arena. Seeger was relentless both in his singing and actions in establishing the foundations for Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs and more to build upon.
Several early folk music influences are presented in depth. There is some fascinating footage of Leadbelly performing in prison and some contrived footage after his release. Blind Willie McTell may have played with a raw guitar sound, but his voice was a clear tenor making him unique at the time. Bob Dylan has always openly admired his music.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Your best review to date Mr. Bowling. It's nice to see you dig a bit deeper, and tell us what you really think, rather than just rattle off cursory and well known facts. More of this please, sir. But yes, very well done.
-Glen
2 - JC Mosquito
It's 3AM Glen - don't you ever sleep?
3 - linda
Just watched Down The Tracks and thought it was terrible...some of the film clips have nothing to do with the documentary at all...looked like ridiculous filler to me. (video of NYC now, not when Dylan arrived...along with foolish video of a highway that has no connection to anything...etc)....The worst part of it is you don't get to hear Bob Dylan at all...you do hear a lot of blah blah blah...and a couple of yucky performances from people who think they are cool. I love Bob Dylan and this dvd doesn't respect him.